Sri Lanka is in a strange position, said Global Capital in an article which announced the award.

GC said “On the one hand, foreign investment is flooding in as are tourists, with inward arrival numbers at a record high in 2016. Yet on the other hand, this is a high friable economy struggling to deal with rising national liabilities.”

“It’s public debt to GDP ratio is the highest in the region, a fragile currency, a narrow tax base. In light of all such challenges, the Central Bank’s ability to keep calm and carry on has been admirable.”

The article adds that Sri Lanka has many problems but also many positive assets and attribute.

“Its cool, calm and collected Central Bank chief is certainly one of them”, said the article.

Dr.I ndrajit Coomaraswamy

Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy

Primary Education – Royal College, Colombo.

Secondary Education – Harrow School, UK

Undergraduate degree – Cambridge University

Doctorate – University of Sussex

Dr. Coomaraswamy served at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka from the year 1973 to 1989.

While Dr. Coomaraswamy served at the Ministry of Finance and Planning from 1981 to 1989, he was also employed by the Commonwealth Secretariat from 1990-2008.

He was subsequently Interim Director, Social Transformation Programme Division, Commonwealth Secretariat, a post he held from January to July 2010.

Prior to being appointed as the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Coomaraswamy served on the Board of Directors of one of Sri Lanka’s top blue chip conglomerates.

Dr. Coomaraswamy is widely accepted as a reputed economist, serving as the Deputy Chairman of the Pathfinder Foundation.

He has also excelled in the field of sports, representing Cambridge University in cricket and rugby.

He also captained the Rugby team that represented Sri Lanka at the 1974 Asian Games.